第１０３５堀：森の夜 (Part1)
### Chapter 1035: A Night in the Forest
**Side: Milly**
Darkness had already fallen, and we were resting in the forest, preparing for the day ahead.
In the end, we hadn’t encountered any monsters or animals after that, allowing us to proceed smoothly. We had crossed the trailhead of the Great Mountain Range and were now just before the mid-slope.
*"I see. The situation sounds similar to when we climbed Dragon Mountain."*
"Yeah, now that you mention it, you’re right."
I had been giving Yuki-san a progress report for the day. When I mentioned that the forest was eerily quiet—not even a small animal in sight—it reminded him of Dragon Mountain.
Ah, now that he brought it up, I recall him saying there was a "blank zone" back then where not even small animals existed, let alone monsters.
*"It’s possible that there are extremely powerful monsters from the mid-slope upward. Though, considering the situation, the guild seems to have taken out quite a few, so I’d bet on them having shifted their territories."*
"Yes. I think that’s a very strong possibility as well. Regardless, the real work starts tomorrow."
*"Right. Well, just like with Dragon Mountain, our primary objective is different this time, so the monster survey is just a side task. I’ll leave it to your judgment whether to engage them or let them be."*
"Understood."
When a monster’s ecology isn’t clearly understood, you can’t just act recklessly. Some react if you accidentally kill them, while others are a nuisance if you let them escape. There are even some that will hunt you down if you try to take their corpses with you.
Well, you can prevent that by putting them in an Item Box, but that essentially means killing every monster you encounter. If I were to do that carelessly, I have no idea how it might affect the ecosystem of the Great Mountain Range.
Not that I expect a massive number of monsters to appear, though.
As I pondered these things during my first adventure in a long time, Yuki-san spoke to me gently.
*"Milly, are you alright? Are you tired from the adventure?"*
"No, I’m fine. Before coming here, I was on a ship headed to Zuraburu and traveling all over, so I’m really okay."
Yuki-san is always so concerned about the fact that I was pregnant until recently. I’m happy he’s so kind, but he worries a bit too much. I’m not just some fragile maiden, after all.
*"I see. Just make sure not to overdo it. So, how is it? The makeshift base I had you bring along as a test?"*
"Oh, it’s incredibly comfortable. It’s wonderful to be able to secure a living space as long as there’s a little open ground."
I answered while looking around. The place where I was talking to Yuki-san was a "house that fits in an Item Box," which we had brought along to test on this trip.
It was fully equipped with lights on the ceiling, a kitchen, a table, and a separate container serving as a bedroom—it had everything.
On long-distance journeys like this, just securing a place to rest is usually a chore. We have simple camping gear like tents, but those are only meant to keep out the wind and rain. They’re useless against external threats, and since someone has to keep watch at night to guard against monsters or bandits, it always leaves someone exhausted the next day.
*"We lived in tents during the Dragon Mountain trip to avoid provoking the dragons, but we don't have to hold back this time."*
"Exactly. These container-type portable houses are so convenient. The defense is high, and it’s comfortable inside."
Of course, the defensive capabilities are leagues above a tent. Since it uses iron containers, it’s sturdy enough that not only animals but even most ordinary monsters wouldn't leave a scratch. Plus, Narjia-san and Comet have enchanted it so thoroughly that it’s incredibly resistant to magic as well.
In our field tests, it even withstood a direct hit from a tank cannon. The only drawback is that it can’t negate the shock, so the furniture inside gets tossed around. So, even if the building doesn’t break, it’s questionable whether the people inside would be unaffected by such an impact.
Then again, if an enemy that strong appears, the best course of action is to retreat immediately.
"The external drone monitors are also functioning normally."
*"It’s a container, so I was worried about how to handle surveillance, but it seems the drones solved that."*
"Yes. The security camera at the entrance is working fine, too. I can’t see outside directly, but Aslin’s Igu-chan and Fe-chan are on standby outside, so I don’t think there will be any problems."
We estimate the Hydra, which is likely the boss of the Great Mountain Range, to be around level 300 at most, so Aslin’s Ten Great Beasts are more than enough to handle it. It might seem like overkill to go this far, but we’re being cautious because we can’t afford any mistakes. After all, if you underestimate an adventure, you die.
*"The real problem is the snow near the summit. This is your first time on a snowy mountain, right, Milly?"*
"Yes, my first time on a natural snowy mountain. But I’ve trained enough at Weed, so I don’t think you need to worry too much."
*"Well, that may be true, but caution is the better part of valor. You’re dealing with nature, not just monsters."*
"Yes, I’m well aware of that."
Of course, we’ve properly prepared the equipment for climbing a snowy mountain. We plan to take out that gear if the Item Box becomes unusable for any reason. I’ve also practiced how to bivouac during my training at Weed, and if something happens, we’ll retreat immediately.
"But before that, I’m wondering what to do about the mid-slope climb tomorrow."
*"Ah, right. You said there wasn't even a single animal trail, didn't you?"*
"Yes. Beyond the village, there isn't even a game trail; it’s just overgrown with trees and weeds. I’m torn on whether we should force our way through like we did today."
Exactly. Tomorrow, we finally begin the climb up the mid-slope of the Great Mountain Range. It’s covered in a dense forest, and it seems neither humans nor beasts or monsters have been coming or going, as there isn't a single trail to be found.
We could easily move forward by hacking a path like Aslin and Agil did today, but if we do that carelessly, we risk provoking the monsters and beasts that may or may not be lurking on the mid-slope.
*"I said I’d leave the decision of whether to kill or spare the monsters to you, but this is a different matter, isn't it?"*
"Yes. I don’t think it’s a good idea to intentionally provoke them and go on a killing spree. It could drastically change the distribution and habitat range of the monsters within the Great Mountain Range."
*"If that happens, the Zuraburu Empire could be put at risk. In that case, avoiding contact as much as possible is the best path, then?"*
"That’s right. But if we do that, we’ll basically be abandoning the monster survey. If we decide not to cut paths through the forest, considering the time, we’ll have to use jumps or flight magic to take shortcuts."
*"Ah... well, it can’t be helped. There’s no need to risk changing the ecosystem and threatening the rear of Zuraburu just to survey monsters right now."*
"I agree with that."
Just as we were about to finalize our policy for tomorrow, Agil poked her head in from the side, dressed in her pajamas. It seems she had just finished her bath.